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Abstract
This study analyzes the use of food in Larry Browns novel Father and Son as a means for understanding the complex relationships between the protagonists Bobby Blanchard, Mary Blanchard, Virgil Davis, Jewel, and the antagonist, Glen Davis. Through the home-cooked meals of Mary and Jewel, the genuine and caring nature of these women wins the hearts of the men that surround them. The males in the novel are often torn between poisonous drink and greasy foods and the healthy foods that could make them whole again. The discourse of food and the dining experience provides a touchstone for understanding the characters larger priorities and moral imperatives.